Zambia eyes more Turkish investors

By Tufan Aktas

LUSAKA, Zambia (AA) - Turkey's Ambassador to Zambia Sebnem Incesu said the African country would like to see more Turkish investors.

In an exclusive interview to Anadolu Agency in the wake of the first Turkish presidential visit to Zambia, Incesu said the two countries had rapidly improved bilateral relations since the opening of the Turkish Embassy in Lusaka in 2011.

The Zambian Embassy in Ankara opened in 2013.

"Zambia closely monitors and appreciates Turkey's economic moves and its growing presence in Africa," she said.

Incesu said that Zambia has great potential in economic terms with its rich underground and overland resources, agricultural areas, young population, and high urbanization rate.

"Zambian authorities expect more bilateral economic and trade relations to be developed with investment focus and create added value and employment," Incesu said.

According to the Turkish Foreign Ministry, the trade volume between Turkey and Zambia in 2017 was $21.8 million.

Turkish export to Zambia was worth $16.6 million while its import from Zambia was worth $5.2 million, the figures of the ministry says.

"Turkish investors are not yet fully aware of the Zambian market," said the envoy, adding that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's upcoming visit to the country had already increased attention to the bilateral and economic relations.

Erdogan will pay an official visit to Zambia on July 28.

As part of his visit, Erdogan will meet Zambian President Edgar Lungu to discuss bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and international developments.